Benzinga's Top Upgrades, Downgrades For March 30, 2020

Upgrades

• Cowen & Co. changed the rating for Cerner Corp CERN from Market Perform to Outperform. Cerner earned $0.75 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.63 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $80.90 and a 52-week-low of $53.08. Cerner's stock last closed at $60.01 per share.
• Wells Fargo upgraded the stock for Webster Financial Corp WBS from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Webster Financial earned $0.96 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.01 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $55.08 and a 52-week-low of $18.16. Webster Financial's stock last closed at $21.04 per share.
• For Bank of N.T Butterfield & Son Ltd NTB, Wells Fargo upgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Bank of N.T Butterfield earned $0.87 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.92 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $40.65 and a 52-week-low of $13.76. Bank of N.T Butterfield's stock last closed at $16.55 per share.
• BMO Capital upgraded the stock for Alphabet Inc GOOGL from Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Alphabet had an EPS of $15.35, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $12.77. The stock has a 52-week-high of $1530.74 and a 52-week-low of $1008.87. Alphabet's stock last closed at $1110.26 per share.
• BMO Capital upgraded the stock for Criteo SA CRTO from Market Perform to Outperform. Criteo earned $1.08 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.84 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $22.96 and a 52-week-low of $5.89. Criteo's stock last closed at $7.87 per share.
• Jefferies upgraded the stock for Procter & Gamble Co PG from Hold to Buy. For the second quarter, Procter & Gamble had an EPS of $1.42, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.25. The stock has a 52-week-high of $128.09 and a 52-week-low of $94.34. Procter & Gamble's stock last closed at $110.22 per share.
• Jefferies upgraded the stock for Kimberly-Clark Corp KMB from Hold to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Kimberly-Clark had an EPS of $1.71, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.60. The stock has a 52-week-high of $149.23 and a 52-week-low of $110.66. Kimberly-Clark's stock last closed at $125.00 per share.
• Wells Fargo upgraded the stock for Ross Stores Inc ROST from Equal-Weight to Overweight. In the fourth quarter, Ross Stores showed an EPS of $1.26, compared to $1.13 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $124.16 and a 52-week-low of $56.30. Ross Stores's stock last closed at $82.55 per share.
• Wells Fargo upgraded the stock for TJX Companies Inc TJX from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the fourth quarter, TJX Companies had an EPS of $0.81, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.59. The stock has a 52-week-high of $64.95 and a 52-week-low of $32.72. TJX Companies's stock last closed at $46.75 per share.
• Wells Fargo changed the rating for Nike Inc NKE from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the third quarter, Nike had an EPS of $0.78, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.68. The stock has a 52-week-high of $105.62 and a 52-week-low of $60.00. Nike's stock last closed at $83.26 per share.
• Wells Fargo changed the rating for Ulta Beauty Inc ULTA from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Ulta Beauty earned $3.83 in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.61 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $368.83 and a 52-week-low of $124.05. Ulta Beauty's stock last closed at $174.45 per share.
• Wells Fargo changed the rating for Skechers USA Inc SKX from Equal-Weight to Overweight. For the fourth quarter, Skechers USA had an EPS of $0.39, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.31. The stock has a 52-week-high of $44.50 and a 52-week-low of $17.06. Skechers USA's stock last closed at $24.74 per share.
• Credit Suisse changed the rating for TJX Companies Inc TJX from Neutral to Outperform. In the fourth quarter, TJX Companies showed an EPS of $0.81, compared to $0.59 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $64.95 and a 52-week-low of $32.72. TJX Companies's stock last closed at $46.75 per share.
• Citigroup changed the rating for Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico SAB de CV PAC from Sell to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, Grupo Aeroportuario del showed an EPS of $1.35, compared to $1.28 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $135.31 and a 52-week-low of $44.28. Grupo Aeroportuario del's stock last closed at $55.50 per share.
• For MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc MSM, KeyBanc upgraded the stock from Sector Weight to Overweight. For the first quarter, MSC Industrial Direct Co had an EPS of $1.21, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.33. The stock has a 52-week-high of $86.16 and a 52-week-low of $44.93. MSC Industrial Direct Co's stock last closed at $52.06 per share.
• Goldman Sachs changed the rating for Linde PLC LIN from Neutral to Buy. Linde earned $1.89 in the fourth quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $227.85 and a 52-week-low of $146.71. Linde's stock last closed at $167.65 per share.
• Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock for Celanese Corp CE from Neutral to Buy. Celanese earned $1.99 in the fourth quarter, compared to $2.38 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $128.88 and a 52-week-low of $52.70. Celanese's stock last closed at $71.26 per share.
• For Univar Solutions Inc UNVR, Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, Univar Solns had an EPS of $0.29, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.33. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.77 and a 52-week-low of $6.40. Univar Solns's stock last closed at $10.49 per share.
• Bernstein upgraded the stock for Northrop Grumman Corp NOC from Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Northrop Grumman had an EPS of $5.61, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $4.93. The stock has a 52-week-high of $385.00 and a 52-week-low of $263.29. Northrop Grumman's stock last closed at $312.43 per share.
• B of A Securities changed the rating for HD Supply Holdings Inc HDS from Neutral to Buy. For the fourth quarter, HD Supply Holdings had an EPS of $0.64, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.70. The stock has a 52-week-high of $47.13 and a 52-week-low of $21.69. HD Supply Holdings's stock last closed at $27.23 per share.
• For Synovus Financial Corp SNV, Wells Fargo upgraded the stock from Equal-Weight to Overweight. Synovus Finl earned $0.94 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.92 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $40.32 and a 52-week-low of $10.91. Synovus Finl's stock last closed at $18.33 per share.
• Goldman Sachs changed the rating for Nucor Corp NUE from Neutral to Buy. Nucor earned $0.52 in the fourth quarter, compared to $2.07 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $61.17 and a 52-week-low of $27.52. Nucor's stock last closed at $33.31 per share.
• For Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co RS, Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy. In the fourth quarter, Reliance Steel & Aluminum showed an EPS of $2.44, compared to $1.08 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $122.17 and a 52-week-low of $70.57. Reliance Steel & Aluminum's stock last closed at $83.49 per share.
• For NeoPhotonics Corp NPTN, Piper Sandler upgraded the stock from Neutral to Overweight. NeoPhotonics earned $0.10 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.05 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $9.46 and a 52-week-low of $3.26. NeoPhotonics's stock last closed at $6.72 per share.
• For Mondelez International Inc MDLZ, Stifel upgraded the stock from Hold to Buy. Mondelez International earned $0.61 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.63 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $59.96 and a 52-week-low of $41.19. Mondelez International's stock last closed at $47.89 per share.
• JP Morgan upgraded the stock for Republic Services Inc RSG from Neutral to Overweight. Republic Services earned $0.91 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.80 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $100.91 and a 52-week-low of $65.37. Republic Services's stock last closed at $75.67 per share.
• Goldman Sachs changed the rating for Nektar Therapeutics NKTR from Sell to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Nektar Therapeutics had an EPS of ($0.64), compared to year-ago quarter EPS of ($0.57). The stock has a 52-week-high of $37.00 and a 52-week-low of $13.63. Nektar Therapeutics's stock last closed at $17.23 per share.
• Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded the stock for Hamilton Lane Inc HLNE from Underperform to Market Perform. For the third quarter, Hamilton Lane had an EPS of $0.47, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.62. The stock has a 52-week-high of $74.01 and a 52-week-low of $36.27. Hamilton Lane's stock last closed at $55.61 per share.
• RBC Capital upgraded the stock for Phillips 66 PSX from Sector Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, Phillips 66 had an EPS of $1.54, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $4.87. The stock has a 52-week-high of $119.92 and a 52-week-low of $40.04. Phillips 66's stock last closed at $52.31 per share.
• For Amgen Inc AMGN, Raymond James upgraded the stock from Market Perform to Outperform. Amgen earned $3.64 in the fourth quarter, compared to $3.42 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $244.99 and a 52-week-low of $166.30. Amgen's stock last closed at $198.27 per share.
• Raymond James changed the rating for CME Group Inc CME from Market Perform to Outperform. For the fourth quarter, CME Group had an EPS of $1.52, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.77. The stock has a 52-week-high of $225.36 and a 52-week-low of $131.80. CME Group's stock last closed at $171.34 per share.

Downgrades

• Exane BNP Paribas downgraded the stock for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co GT from Outperform to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, Goodyear Tire & Rubber showed an EPS of $0.19, compared to $0.51 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $20.70 and a 52-week-low of $4.09. Goodyear Tire & Rubber's stock last closed at $6.32 per share.
• Jefferies downgraded the stock for Energizer Holdings Inc ENR from Buy to Hold. In the first quarter, Energizer Holdings showed an EPS of $0.85, compared to $1.64 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $53.84 and a 52-week-low of $26.60. Energizer Holdings's stock last closed at $31.10 per share.
• For Medical Properties Trust Inc MPW, Mizuho downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Medical Properties Trust had an EPS of $0.35, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.31. The stock has a 52-week-high of $24.29 and a 52-week-low of $12.35. Medical Properties Trust's stock last closed at $17.68 per share.
• For PDS Biotechnology Corp PDSB, H.C. Wainwright downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. PDS Biotechnology earned ($0.34) in the fourth quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $9.45 and a 52-week-low of $0.62. PDS Biotechnology's stock last closed at $0.74 per share.
• RBC Capital changed the rating for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc HLT from Outperform to Sector Perform. For the fourth quarter, Hilton Worldwide Holdings had an EPS of $1.00, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.79. The stock has a 52-week-high of $115.48 and a 52-week-low of $44.30. Hilton Worldwide Holdings's stock last closed at $69.15 per share.
• Wells Fargo downgraded the stock for Capri Holdings Ltd CPRI from Overweight to Equal-Weight. In the third quarter, Capri Holdings showed an EPS of $1.66, compared to $1.76 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $50.00 and a 52-week-low of $5.42. Capri Holdings's stock last closed at $11.67 per share.
• Wells Fargo changed the rating for Gap Inc GPS from Equal-Weight to Underweight. Gap earned $0.58 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.72 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $27.00 and a 52-week-low of $6.04. Gap's stock last closed at $7.79 per share.
• Wells Fargo downgraded the stock for Designer Brands Inc DBI from Overweight to Underweight. Interestingly, in the fourth quarter, Designer Brands's EPS was ($0.05). The stock has a 52-week-high of $23.39 and a 52-week-low of $2.60. Designer Brands's stock last closed at $6.13 per share.
• Needham changed the rating for Medtronic PLC MDT from Strong Buy to Buy. Medtronic earned $1.44 in the third quarter, compared to $1.29 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $122.15 and a 52-week-low of $72.13. Medtronic's stock last closed at $89.84 per share.
• B. Riley FBR changed the rating for AutoWeb Inc AUTO from Buy to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, AutoWeb showed an EPS of ($0.24), compared to ($0.24) from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $4.12 and a 52-week-low of $0.50. AutoWeb's stock last closed at $1.08 per share.
• Goldman Sachs changed the rating for Eastman Chemical Co EMN from Buy to Neutral. In the fourth quarter, Eastman Chemical showed an EPS of $1.42, compared to $1.39 from the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $86.18 and a 52-week-low of $34.44. Eastman Chemical's stock last closed at $46.47 per share.
• For Livent Corp LTHM, Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. Livent earned $0.05 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.23 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $12.92 and a 52-week-low of $3.95. Livent's stock last closed at $5.30 per share.
• Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock for Venator Materials PLC VNTR from Buy to Neutral. Venator Materials earned ($0.09) in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.18 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $7.24 and a 52-week-low of $1.64. Venator Materials's stock last closed at $1.79 per share.
• Gordon Haskett changed the rating for 3M Co MMM from Hold to Underperform. 3M earned $2.15 in the fourth quarter, compared to $2.31 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $219.75 and a 52-week-low of $114.04. 3M's stock last closed at $133.04 per share.
• BMO Capital downgraded the stock for Polaris Inc PII from Outperform to Market Perform. For the fourth quarter, Polaris had an EPS of $1.83, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $1.83. The stock has a 52-week-high of $104.37 and a 52-week-low of $41.14. Polaris's stock last closed at $47.33 per share.
• Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock for Syneos Health Inc SYNH from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Syneos Health had an EPS of $1.03, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.95. The stock has a 52-week-high of $74.25 and a 52-week-low of $30.02. Syneos Health's stock last closed at $41.60 per share.
• For CVR Energy Inc CVI, Credit Suisse downgraded the stock from Neutral to Underperform. CVR Energy earned $0.44 in the fourth quarter, compared to $0.83 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $55.52 and a 52-week-low of $13.89. CVR Energy's stock last closed at $15.16 per share.
• For Brookfield Asset Management Inc BAM, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded the stock from Outperform to Market Perform. Brookfield Asset Mgmt earned $0.74 in the fourth quarter, compared to $1.87 in the year-ago quarter. The stock has a 52-week-high of $68.41 and a 52-week-low of $32.36. Brookfield Asset Mgmt's stock last closed at $42.27 per share.
• For Huazhu Group Ltd HTHT, Citigroup downgraded the stock from Buy to Neutral. For the fourth quarter, Huazhu Group had an EPS of $0.30, compared to year-ago quarter EPS of $0.17. The stock has a 52-week-high of $45.39 and a 52-week-low of $25.01. Huazhu Group's stock last closed at $27.77 per share.

Initiations

• Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on GFL Environmental Inc GFL with a Neutral rating. The stock has a 52-week-high of $17.75 and a 52-week-low of $13.80. GFL Environmental's stock last closed at $14.95 per share.